Modeling & Test Engineer, Re-Entry Vehicle (Ph.D. Entry Level)

True Anomaly is a company focused on building innovative technology for space security and sustainability. They are seeking a Re-Entry Vehicle Modeling & Test Engineer to support modeling and simulation efforts for re-entry vehicle ground tests, contributing to various analyses under hypersonic conditions.

Responsibilities

• Support modeling and simulation efforts for re-entry vehicle ground tests
• Contributing to aerothermal, thermal, and structural analyses under hypersonic conditions
• Assist in the planning and execution of ground test campaigns at facilities such as wind tunnels, arc jets, and other high-enthalpy environments
• Developing and applying physics-based models to inform test design and predict test outcomes
• Providing support during test execution through data monitoring and preliminary assessments
• Perform data reduction, analysis, and correlation to compare experimental results with analytical and numerical predictions
• Contributing to the design and analysis of re-entry vehicle systems, including aerodynamics, thermal protection systems, and materials behavior in hypersonic environments
• Document methodologies, results, and findings in clear technical reports and presentations
• Collaborate closely with multidisciplinary teams across test, design, and systems engineering

Skills

• Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a closely related field, with a research focus in hypersonics, high-speed aerodynamics, or re-entry physics
• Strong foundation in hypersonic flow physics, aerothermal heating, and heat transfer
• Hands-on experience (academic or research-based) with modeling and simulation tools for fluid, thermal, or structural analysis
• Experience analyzing and interpreting experimental or test data, including uncertainty assessment and model validation
• Familiarity with ground test methods relevant to hypersonic or re-entry environments (e.g., wind tunnels, arc jets, plasma facilities)
• Ability to communicate technical results clearly in written reports and oral presentations
• Work Location—Successful candidates will be located near Denver or Colorado Springs. While we observe a hybrid work environment, some work must be done on site
• To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State
• Dissertation or research experience involving hypersonic ground testing or test-to-model correlation
• Experience with CFD, thermal analysis, or multiphysics simulation tools commonly used in hypersonics research
• Exposure to thermal protection materials or structures for re-entry vehicles
• Experience working in team-based research environments with experimental and computational components
• Interest in transitioning academic research into applied aerospace programs

Benefits

• Equity + Benefits including Health, Dental, Vision, HRA/HSA options, PTO and paid holidays, 401K, Parental Leave

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